Therapeutic apparatus



W. MEYER. THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 05c. 18, 1918.

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W. MEYER THERAPEUHC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC.18, 1918.

Patente ept. 26, 1922:

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CHE arrays) W. MEYER. THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18, 1918.

Eatenteflfiept 26, 1922.

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W. MEYER. THERAPEU APPLICATION FILED 05c. 18, ms.

TIC APPARATUS.

Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

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trimaran MEYER, or CHICAGO, ILLIivoIs.

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

Application filed December 18, 191-8. Serial No. 267,234.

To all mm it 'inag c'onoemt: I

lied irnown that i, WILLIAM MEYER, a citizen or the United States, residing at Chicago, in thecounty oi Cook and State of lllinois, have invented a certain new and usean improvement' in ilherapeutic Apparatus, of which the "following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part or this specification.

My invention relates to therapeutic apparatus and more particularly to a table for use in taking X-ray photographs of the body and for administering electric treatment.

In taking x-ray photographs or radio graphs, as they are often termed, it is necessary to hold the sensitized plate in a fixed ventionlprovide suitable support in the position softhat the proper degree and 10 cation of exposure will be obtained. 'Vv here the' plate is attached to the patient, move ment of the patient will take the plate out of the proper position and will prevent the proper degree and proper location of the exposure, This is particularly true in diagnosingthe conditicn iof the frontal sinuses which has heretofore been an extremely diflicult matter and also in the fluoroscopic examination of the neck and other X-ray work about-the head, which has heretofore been extremely inconvenient.

l have found" that the only dependable method of making exposures is to have the patient-rest upon a supportwhich also supports the photographic plate. Thus the patient being properly supported, the chances of movement are much lessened, although a slight movement would not destroy the adjustment of the plate with respect to the X-ray tube.

My invention aims to provide a suitable table, comparatively light in weight, which is so constructed that it may be readily adjusted for either electrical treatments, fluoros'copic work or making radiographs of any part of the anatomy. I w

In accordance with the teachings of my inform of a table, which is provided with an adjustable, portion for. holding the patient in. any desired angular position, this adjustable portion: atathe same time serving to hold the. photographic plate 111a number of POSltlODSQt'C provide themaximurn utility for X-raypurposes- .i. have-*iurtherprovided an adjustable plate holding head rest adjacent the opposite,

end of the table for holding the head of the patient at any desired angular position, either above or below the plane of the table top. This feature is particularly adapted for making radiographs of the frontal sinuses, fluoroscopic examination of the neck, for dental radiographs, or other work about the head where difiicult fixed angular positions are often necessary in order that clear and sharp detail will be secured.

I have further provided for mounting the tube upon a standard adjustable longitudinally along the table, means being provided for securely locking the standard in any desired position therealong. The tube carrier is adapted to be swung about the standard, away from the table, thereby giving all the facilities of a separate tube stand.

The top itself of my improved table is adapted for supporting photographic plates when it is desired to make an exposure of the central part of the anatomy, suitable means being provided .for aligning the photographic plates properly on the "liable top in such instances. Thus upon placing the patient properly upon the table, ex-

posures of the upper, lower or central parts of the anatomy can be taken without 'disturbing the patient and with relatively little In order that those skilled in the art may be fully acquainted with the nature and scope of my invention, I shall describe a specific embodiment of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present 'specifica- L tion. p v

Figure 1 is aside elevational view of my improved table, illustrating the manner in which the plate holding adjustable portions thereof are available for various positions of the patient;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the. same;

Figure 3 isa longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; 4

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3:

Figure 5 is anenlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3;

. Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken onthe line 6-6 of Figure 1; and p p a,

Figure 7 is a plan view of one of'the plate holders. f

, ,The embodiment of my invention illus' trated in the drawings comprises thefour for supporting and guiding the tube stand ardlongitudinally along the table, as will be hereinafter described.

The side pieces 5 and 6 have suitable transverse braces 1O, 11 and 12 extending between them, as shown-in Figures 3, 4.- and 5, the op posite ends of these braces being suitably secured to the side pieces 5 and 6, as by means of tenon joints or otherwise. The transversely extending-braces 10, 11 and 12 are employed in connection with the adjustable plate holding mechanism, as will be described later. A longitudinal brace 13 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is secured to the transverse'brace 11 ad acent 1ts lower edge and to the end piece 8. This longitudinal brace 13 is employed in connection with the adjustment of the plate holding head rest mecha- .nism, as will be described. The sides 5 and 6 and the ends 7 and 8 may be further braced in any preferred manner, such as by the corner braces 14 shown in Figure 2 whereby the corner posts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are removably secured. to the sides and ends of the table.

A suitable top 15 extends over and covers that portion of the frame'bounded by the bracing strip 10, the end piece 8 and the side pieces 5 and6. This top is preferably finished in natural wood, as is the rest of the table, although it is to be understood that it could be'covered with suitable fabric or the like, if so desired! An opening ofasize suilicient for the reception of the hinged plate holding head rest 16 is provided in the top 15 adjacent the right-end thereof (Figure 1) The inner edge of the plate holding head rest 16 is .hingedto the outer side of the transverse brace 11 so that it may be raised or lowered about these hinges intoany desired position as shown in Figure 3. The plate holding' head rest 16 comprises aframe 17 which is grooved as shown at 18 in Figures 3 and 4 i for receiving the plate holder19. The frame 17 is provided with a covering 20 of aluminum or other conducting material which will the passage of not interfere materially with X-rays therethrough. The covering 20 is stretched upon the frame 17 so that it will not sag, the oppom'te edges of this covering being bent down and secured to the opposits edges of the grooved frame 17, as shown in Figure 4. The outer edge of the covering 20 isv held securely in place by means of a transverse bar 21, the opposite An addi- "that is, it may be inclined to ends of which are secured to the frame 17. The transverse bar 21 may be nickeled, if so desired, to give the outer edge of the plate holding head rest 16 a finished appearance.

of the bolt 24 is proeither upward or downward movement oft-he plate holding head rest 16. A small lug or stop 26 may be provided adjacent the lower free end of the rod 23 for limiting the upward movement of the head rest 16. In the particular table shown I have provided substantially 45 movement for the head rest 16, an angle of 225 above the table top 15 or it may be lowered to an angle of 22. below the table top. lVhen the head rest 16 isinclined to an angle of substantially 22%; above the table top 15, the stop 26is adapted to engage the bolt 24 thereby preventing further movement of the head rest 16 upwardly. Then by threading the thumb nut 25 upon the bolt 2d,

the rod 23 will be securely gripped and the head rest v16 securely held in its uppermost position, it being understood of course that the head rest may be held in the plane of the table top 15 or in any other desired angular position in a like manner; Ubviously a greater range of movement could be readily afforded the head rest 16 if it is 'found desirable.

In order that the head rest 16 may be swung downwardly into various angular po sitions, I have provided an opening 27 in the end piece 8 as is shown in Figure 3, this opening being of a width substantially equal to the width of the head rest 16. That por tion of the upper edge of the end piece 8 which forms the bottom wall of the opening 2'? is beveled at substantially 2235" so that the outer edge of the head rest 16 will make parallel engagement therewith when moved to its lowermost position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, thereby forming a suitaile .stop and support for the head rest when in rap parts must be avoided in order to give clear and sharp detail which is so desirable.

v 'In order to hold the head of the patient firmly in a fixed position irrespective of 5 the angular position thereof, I have pro- ,videda pair of headpads 28 and 29 between which the, head of the patient is adapted to be securely held. The head pads 28 and 29 are carried upon the inner ends of the horizontalrods 30 and 31, respectively', these rods extending through the vertical posts 32 and 33, which are suitably mounted upon the upper surface of the head rest 16. The reduced threaded ends of the posts 32 and 33 extend down through the frame 17 of the head rest 16 and engage in suitable nuts 34 whereby these posts are held securely in an upright position. The

rods 30 and 31 are slidably mounted in the upright posts 32 and 33 whereby the distance between the pads 28 and 29 may be either increased or diminished. Suitable set screws 35 threading into the upper ends of the posts 32 and 33 are adapted to 'engage the rods and 31 to securely retain the same in any desired position. I

Indiagnosing the conditions of the frontal sinuses it is often necessary to place the sensitive plate adjacent the forehead in 30 orderto make a record through the long axis of the head. In such instances the patient is placed face down upon the table in such position that the forehead oflphe patient will bear upon the covering 20 of the head rest 16, the center of the patients "head registering substantially with the point of intersection of the lines 36 and 37 provided on the covering 20.- The head rest; 16- with the patients head held firmly in place thereon is then moved either upwardly or downwardly into the desired angular position. A sensitive late is inserted in; the plate holder 19, -ray tube 38 positioned over the back of the patients head, as will be described later; and the exposure madef An anteroposterior radiograph of the neck is made with the patient lying faceupon the table, (the head rest 16 being 50 adjusted to give the desired exposure) with the sensitive plate under the back of the neck and the tube 38 arranged vertically over the cricoid cartilage. i The adjustable head rest 16 further facilitates fluoroscopic, examination of the neck which has heretofore been extremely inconvenient.

The adjustable portion provided adjacent the opposite endtofthejtable comprises a crossbar '39 lying adjacent the transverse brace 10 and carrying "an. open frame member 40? 'The 'openffr'ame member 40 i o *nected by meansof thehinges 42 to the upper edge of the side piece 6. A rod 43 is T65 .pivotallyu 'nounted by means of agbracket .tudinally across the op'enIframe 45 upon the lower edge of the crossbar 44 carried by the open frame 40. The lower end of the rod 43 passes through a bolt 46 carried by the transversebra'ce; 12; which bolt is provided with 'a thunib nut47 'for 7c gripping the rod 43 in any desired posi tion. The crossbar 44 whichexteiidsloiigi- Series. a similar adjusting bolt lSfOijQgri'pping "a" rod 49 which is pivotallyfrnounted.at its opposite end upon. a crossbar 50 by: means of a bracket 51. The crossbarf fiil extends transversely across the under sidef offthe hinged top portion 52 .in1 ie1 edge of the top 52 is hinged at' 5f3;te' 'the rosshar 39 carried by the open ira'nieAQ, Thus the top 52 may be swung into anydesi redangular position relative tojtliel openg fr new as shown in Figures 1, 2 l andg3j.

The top portion ceinprises a -frame which is grooved as shown at 53 in il igures 1 and 5 for receiving the platehelder 4 This frame is pro.

shown in Figure 7.

vided with a covering of; aluminum or other conducting mate evhich .wiilenot interfere with the passa geiof W i there through; The covering upon the frame so'that' opposite edges of thiscoveriiigg-bgin down and secured to the opposite ug es of bent the grooved frame as shown gure 5.

In use the open frame meinbeneiO:and the top portion 52 are adjustable into e ceevenient position for receivingthe' patient and making proper Xeray' -exposure's. "lf have found that a that table i i fortable for most patients and raise the adjust-able port-i0 to remove this inconvenieiio' graphs of the shoulders o i ,7 aligned upon the top of the tblefb of the parallel line 56 provide shown in Figure 2. j ,5

Where a radiograph ot th'e abdomen isto be taken the open frame i ed as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to than; .tially 90 to the top l'fi ettl top portion 52 is then s'wung hinges 53 to an angle of substantially 90 to the frame 40. It will now be apparent proper angle and in correct the top portion 52 may be also used in makmg radiographs of the shoulders orthorax, the patient assuming a sitting posture in such instances.

The tube standard 58 is supported and guided longitudinally along one side of the table by means of suitable guiding rods 59 and 60 provided along the bottom edge of the side piece 6 and along the top of the rail 9, respectively.- vGuiding members 61 bearing rollers 62 which engage about the peripheries of the rods 59 and 60 are clamped in proper position upon the tushown in Figure l bular standard 58'by means of suitable bolts 63. The tube supporting frame 64 and consequently the tube 38 are adjustable vertically and angularly about the tubular standard 58 and in addition'may be tilted on the standard in order to direct the X-rays at the proximity to the object or patient. This universal adj ustability of the X-ray tube 38 is fully described in Patent No. 1,414,658, dated May 2, 1922.

The upper guiding member 61 is provided with a pair of inwardly extending arms 66 as shown in Figure 6. The U-shaped clamping member 67 isjournaled between these arms by means of a suitable bolt. wardly extending arms 68 of the U-shaped clamping member 67 engage the'inner and outer edges respectively of the guiding rail 59. A clamping bolt 69 extends through the enlarged portion 70 oi the guiding member 61, through the upwardly extending arms 69 of the U-shaped clamping-member 67. The inner reduced threaded portion of the bolt 69 provides an annular shoulder which engages the outer surtace ot' the guiding member 61 thereby preventing inward movement of the bolt 69. Outward movement of this clamping bolt may be prevented by means of a suitable pin 71 thereby maintainingthe bolt .69 in a fixed position. Thus, upon revolving the bolt 69, the upwardly extending arms 68 of the U-shaped clamping member 67 will be securely clamped into engagement with the outer and inner edges respectively of the guiding rail 59, thereby eifectively locking the tube standard 58 against longitudinal movement along the table.

It will be apparentthat upon raising the tube supportin frame 6a to a point adjacent the top of the tubular standard 58, that this A increased weight might have a tendency to tip the table over on its side. To counteract any such tendency I have provided a The up' Ldstf 66 counterweight 72 which may be bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner side of the side piece'5, as shown in Figure 3.

The four corner posts or legs 1, 2, 3 and l. of my improved table are provided with anti-friction rollers or casters 73 in order that the entire table may be readily moved into any desired position. These legs are further provided with suitable stops 74 which comprise a stop member, means for holding the stop member in engagement with the floor and suitable means whereby the stop member may be released as well understood by those skilled in the art. Thus the table may be moved into any desired position and effectively locked against accidentalmovement by means of the stop 7%.

lVhile I have described my invention with reference to the details of a particular em bodiment, itis to be understood that I do not intend thereby to limit my invention to the proportions or dimensions or precise construction shown and described, but intend that all themselves to one skilled in the art, be considered as coming within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an X-ray table, a top portion having a notch in one end, a head-rest pivoted about the inner edge of said notch fortmovement above and below the table level, stand ards rising from the sides of said head rest and positioned to clear the side edges of said notch, cross slides in said standards projecting out laterally past the vertical plane of the edges of said notch, and means forming part of the fixed structure of said table positioned in the path of said head section to prevent bringing said slides against the edges of'said notch by downward mover:- ant.

. 2. An X-ray table, having a fixed section of slightly greater length than is necessary to support a human trunk and head, said section having a notch in one end, a tiltable head rest pivoted about the inner edge of said notch, and a tiltable section of full width pivoted to the opposite end ofsaid fixed section, said last mentioned tilta-ble section being of sufficient length to support a human trunk.

3. An X-ray table, having a fixed section of slightly greater length than is necessary to support a human trunk and head, said section having a notch in one end, a tiltable head rest pivoted about the inner edge of said no ch for movement above and below the table level, and a plate holder concealed in said head rest.

4. An X-ray table, having a fixed section of slightly greater length than is necessary to support ahuman trunk and head, said sect-ion having a notch in one end, a tiltable head rest pivoted about the inner edge of such modifications as will suggestsaid notch for movement above and below the table level, and head clamps at opposite sides of said head rest arranged to clear the sides of the notch.

5. An X-ray table, having a-fixed section of slightly greater length than is necessary to support a human trunk and head, said section having a notch in one end, and a tiltable head rest pivoted about the inner edge of said notch for movement above and below the table level.

6. An X-ray table, having a fixed section of slightly greater length'than is necessary to support a human trunk and head, said section having a notch in one end, and a tiltable head rest pivoted about the inner edge of said notch.

7. In an X-ray table, a fixed top portion, a tiltable section of full Width at one end of said top portion, said fixed portion having a notch in its opposite end, a head section pivoted about the inner edge of said notch, both tilt-able sections having top pieces transparent to X-rays, and plate holders underlying said top pieces.

8. In an X-ray table, a fixed top portion, a tiltable section of full Width at one end of said top portion, said fined portion having a notch in its opposite end, a head sec tion pivoted about the inner edge of said notch, and plate holders concealed in both tiltable sections.

' 9. In an X-ray table, a fixed top portion, a tiltable section of full width at one end of said top portion, said fixed portion having a notch in its opposite end, and a head section pivoted about the inner edge of said notch. I

.10. In an X-ray table, three sections, the combined length of any two sections being insufiicient to support the patient, one end section being long enough 0 carry the head,

and the other end sectionxbeing longer to carry the head and thorax, and plate holders concealed in said end sections.

11. In an X-ray table, three sections having a combined length substantially equal to that of the patient, one end section being long enough to carry the head ot the patient, and the other long enough to carry the head and thorax, the center section having a notch receiving the head section.

InWit-ness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this lath day of December, A.

WILLETAM MEYER. 

